Page 42 of Master of Paradise
"From the church you attend inSummerville?"
"No. I think she would want the minister fromSt. Philip's in Charleston. I'll write you a letter for him. Urgehim to make the journey out here, Nicholas. I'd also appreciate ifyou'd take messages to her family. Her sister Virginia will want tocome."
"I'll bring Brandon back with me. I'll traveldown tonight and return first thing in the morning." He hesitated."Do you have a coffin?"
"Yes, it's being made right now. It will befinished by dark."
"Write me the letter and I'll be on my way."Nicholas could still see the look on Mandy's face.
"I'll write it now. The church is at thecorner of Broad and Meeting Streets. Miss Caroline's sister livesin the big mansion on the East Battery. You can't miss it."
Nickolas took the notes and put them in hisbreast pocket. "I'll slip home for an overnight bag." He knew hemust find Mandy before he left.
By the time Nicholas rode back to his ownlands, dusk had fallen. He checked the stables and house, but as hefeared there was no sign of Mandy. On impulse he went to the spotwhere he had found her before on the riverbank, deep under theshadowy cypress trees.
She heard his horse approach, and as sheturned blindly to flee from him, she lost her footing and slid downthe grassy bank into the river. "Nicholas!" she cried helplessly,flailing her arms to keep the yellow, swirling water from closingover her head.
"Hang on!" he ordered, and was in the riverin an instant.
The moment his strong arms grasped her, thefear left her body.
He hauled her unceremoniously out of thewater by hooking his hands under her armpits. He dragged her up thebank and sank down beside her.
Mandy feared his anger and his condemnation.She knew what it must have looked like to him. Her arms reached outto him in supplication. "Nicholas, I didn't try to drown myself.Honestly."
"I know you didn't, love," he soothed. "Iknow how upset you are." He held her against him and stroked herhair.
"I had an unbearable pain in my heart, andwhen you came in with Jenny, you looked as if you were carryingyour bride over the threshold. I thought... I thought... you didn'tlove me anymore."
He looked down at her, cupped her facetenderly, and raised it so he could see her clearly. One tearslipped down her cheek and wet his hand. He bent and tenderlybrushed his lips across her brow. It was a kiss intended to makeher feel loved and wanted.
"I love you," he said low, "but Mandy, Icannot allow myself tofall in lovewith you until you areolder. Do you understand what I'm trying to tell you?"
"No," she said imply, and her body quiveredagainst his.
He sighed heavily. "You are cold. We'll go upto the house and get dry." As he carried her over the threshold ofParadise, her words came back to him, and he grinned down ather.
She brushed her eyelashes and tremulouslyreturned his smile.
"That's better." He gave her a reassuringsqueeze before he set her down.. "Samuel, fetch a blanket! Light afire!" He called orders and Samuel carried them out without liftingan eyebrow.
Nick poured a glass of wine and came to thefireplace with it. "Drink this down while I'm watching you," heinstructed.
She obeyed, slowly.
"I'm going up to change. I promised yourfather I'd ride into Charleston tonight. When I go upstairs, I wantyou to take off your wet clothes and wrap yourself in this blanket.Dry whatever you can. Put your shoes right onto the hearth, that'sright. I'll try to find something of mine you can put on until weget you home. Don't worry, I've given orders that no one is to comein here."
She smiled apologetically at the trouble shewas causing. "Thank you for helping me, Nicholas."
When he came back with various items ofapparel over his arm, she accepted she shirt, but shook her headover the trousers. "I'll put my skirt back on. It's only dampnow."
He turned his back so she could dress.
"You may turn around now," she said softly.She struggled into her damp shoes and bundled her bedraggledstockings and underwear into her discarded camisole. "I wish Ididn't have to go back." Her lips began to tremble.
"The next few days are going to be hard,Amanda. They will take all the courage you have."
She straightened her back. "I know. I'm readynow."
